Premium
Spectroscopic Ellipsometry for Characterization of Thin Films of Polymer Blends
Author(s) -
Hinrichs K.,
Gensch M.,
Nikonenko N.,
Pionteck J.,
Eichhorn K.J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200551138
Subject(s) - ellipsometry , materials science , miscibility , polymer , infrared spectroscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , polymer blend , infrared , polystyrene , thin film , layer (electronics) , optics , copolymer , composite material , chemistry , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , physics
Morphology, composition, miscibility, interdiffusion, and interactions at interfaces are important quantities of polymer blends. Many of these parameters can be probed with spectroscopic ellipsometry. Ellipsometry in the visible spectral range is very suitable for determination of thicknesses and the high frequency refractive indices of thin organic films. However the spectral contrast is low for many polymers in comparison to infrared spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE) where specific contributions of the molecular vibrations are probed. In the presented study the infrared optical constants of a double layer (206.6 nm in total) of poly( n ‐butyl methacrylate) (PnBMA) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and of the films of the single compounds have been determined with optical simulations using layer models. The multiple layer model served for simulation of the ellipsometric spectra taken after an annealing induced mixing process in a polymeric double layer. The ellipsometric spectra of a not completely mixed sample could be fitted in a three‐layer model, in which a mixed interphase in between the two layers of the polymers is formed due to interdiffusion.